Finding Bipartisan Solutions That Are Scalable
Laura Arnold, co-founder and co-chair, Arnold Ventures
“Political progress may seem slow, but there are always dedicated policymakers working behind the scenes to take on the big challenges and improve the lives of all Americans.”
What impact do you hope to achieve via Arnold Ventures?
Our goal is to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We do this by using data and rigorous research to create a shared set of facts that can help overcome partisan barriers and solve some of our nation’s most pressing challenges in criminal justice, healthcare, higher education, public finance, and infrastructure. By focusing on research and evidence, we aim to find real, bipartisan solutions that are scalable and sustainable and can achieve real, lasting improvements for American families, communities, and businesses.
What is something valuable you’ve learned on your philanthropic journey?
During our more than 10 years of full-time philanthropy work, we have learned there are always opportunities to build unlikely coalitions around critical issues. Progress may seem slow, and scandalous political fights make the headlines, but there are always dedicated policymakers working behind the scenes to take on the big challenges that can improve the lives of all Americans.
What is a memorable experience from one of your initiatives?
Congress passing a Medicare drug price negotiation program was a huge win for us. We had been working on the issue for a decade, and both Democrats and Republicans agreed on the need for action, but aggressive lobbying from Big Pharma kept the policy from reaching the president’s desk. By supporting research, funding organizations that represented patients, and presenting strong arguments, we were able to win that fight and deliver the first real victory for affordable, life-saving medications.
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